Workshops

NSERC News
NSERC Workshop: How to Prepare a Discovery Grant Application

Friday, June 1, 12:30 - 14:00, Albert Room

NEWS: During this session, NSERC staff will present and request your input on the following topics:

• Grant Selection Committees (GSC) Structure Review:

  The current structure of NSERC's discipline-based GSCs has been in place for more than 30 years. NSERC has recently undertaken a review of such structure and would like to update the community on the review's status as well as gather input on the process so far, and on future directions.

• International Review of Discovery Grants Program:

  NSERC is commissioning an International Review to assess the merit of its approach to supporting research in the natural sciences and engineering, and the extent to which its Discovery Grants Program fosters and supports research excellence. NSERC will present the context of this study as well as gather feedback from the research community on the initial steps of the study.

• Discovery Grants Competitions Results 2007:

  NSERC will present a brief report on the most recent Discovery Grants competition.

WORKSHOP: Representatives from NSERC and members of Grants Selection Committees (GSCs) will make a presentation to familiarize researchers with the peer review process and the way in which Grant Selection Committees function. Advice will be given on how to prepare a Discovery Grant application. While the workshop will be most helpful to new faculty members and those preparing applications this fall, all researchers are welcome to attend. The workshop will cover topics such as Discovery Grants, Grant Selection Committees, criteria for evaluation, application forms and Research Tools and Instruments Grants. A question period will follow the presentation.

Science at Work for Canada: An Overview of the National Research Council

Presenter: Dr. Nick Pizzi, Senior Research Officer, NRC

Student workshop, Friday June 1, 13:00 - 14:00, Campaign B

Established in 1916, the National Research Council (NRC) is the Government of Canada's premier organization for research and development. Its mandate is broad and includes: undertaking scientific and industrial research in different fields of importance to Canada; investigating standards and methods of measurements; operating the national science library; and providing vital scientific and technological services to the research and industrial communities. The NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics (NRC-IBD), established in 1992, develops noninvasive medical devices and techniques to increase prospects for prevention, earlier diagnosis, improved treatment and prognosis of diseases. Located in Winnipeg, NRC-IBD is one of 19 NRC institutes located across Canada. This presentation begins with a broad overview of NRC, followed by a synopsis of research activities at NRC-IBD, and concludes with a more detailed discussion of a current NRC-IBD project on biomedical data analysis.

The Fun and Easy Way to Learn Public Speaking

Presenter: The Young Professionals Toastmasters Club

Student workshop, Saturday, June 2, 12:30-13:30, Champaign B Room

Scientists often need to present their ideas to an audience, however, all of us have been to at least one incomprehensible talk that left us scratching our heads or annoyed that we wasted an hour of our day. But hey, what does it matter if the presenter gave a terrible talk? Good science will ultimately triumph, right? Well not necessarily. Your work might get you 60% to 70% of the way there, the remaining rests on your communication skills and your ability to connect with people.

Connecting with an audience, which usually won't consist of experts in your field, is increasingly important. Giving adequate background and telling people why your work is important and where it fits into the larger picture can ultimately make or break an interview, whether in academia or industry. With the focus on more interdisciplinary collaboration, clear presentations are also essential, because people won't be able to sift through jargon or a mountain of data to understand the importance of your work and how it might benefit them.

Toastmasters is the world's leading oral communication and leadership organization. The organization is founded on the principle that we learn best in an environment of fun, and that practice makes perfect. This session is designed to give an overview of the skills necessary for effective communication and public speaking. Any Toastmasters meeting has 4 key parts, prepared speaking, impromtu speaking, evaluations and timing. We will hear presentations on structuring a good speech, and using your voice and body to make your point, have some fun with impromptu speaking and wrap it up with some evaluations of how our speakers did.